Details for The Pentateuch

This paper examines the literary and ideological themes and structures evident in the Pentateuch, with particular focus on the world it constructs and the influences it exerts on the remainder of the First Testament and modern culture

Awards offering The Pentateuch

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Bachelor of Ministry

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This paper examines the literary and ideological themes and structures evident in the Pentateuch, with particular focus on the world it constructs and the influences it exerts on the remainder of the First Testament and modern culture

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the world of the Pentateuch, including its composition, themes, content, message, characters and ideology. 
• Examine both the primary biblical materials and secondary literature froma range of perspectives
• Explain the narrative and legal techniques used in the Pentateuch
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Pentateuch within the context of the contemporary church

Subject Content

1. Introduction to the formation, development and themes of the Pentateuch
2. Genesis - reading myth and narraitve
3. Exodus - historical and theological issues through the lens of liberation criticism
4. Leviticus - reading law
5. Numbers - wilderness narratives through the lens of source criticism
6. Deuteronomy - reflections at the edge
7. Exegesis of selected passages

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, tutorials, group discussions, online engagement

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Major essay (40%, 2000 words); Exegetical Essay (20%, 1000 words); Reflective Journal (15%, 1750 words), Quizzes (25%)

Prescribed Text

No Set text
 

Representative References

Alexander, T.D. and Baker D.W (eds), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003.

Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise o the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Min Themes of the Pentateuch. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995.

Alter, R.  The World of Biblical Literature. New York: Basic Books, 1992. 

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. The Pentateuch: An INtroduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1992.

Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis. Interpretation. Atlanta: John Knox, 1986, 2010. 

Clines,

Douglas, M. In the Wilderness: The Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers. JSOT Supplement Series 158, Rev Ed, Oxford: OUP, 2001.

Knoppers, G. The Pentateuch as Torah, Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2007.

         Hamilton, V.P. Handbook on the Pentateuch,: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy,  Revised Ed. Grand Rapids:            Baker Academic, 2005.

Jacobs, M. Gender Power and Persuasion:  The Genesis Narratives and Contemporary Portraits.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Academics, 2007.

Levin, C. “The Yahwist: The Earliest Editor of the Pentateuch”. Journal of Biblical Literature 126:2 (2007):209-230.

Levinson, B.M. Deuteronomy and the Hermeneutics of Legal Innovation, Oxford: OUP, 2002.

Moberly, R.W.L.  The Old Testament of the Old Testament: Patriarchal Narratives and Mosaic Yahwism. Eugene, OR:  Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2001.

Nicholson, E. The Pentateuch in the Twentieth Century: The Legacy of Julius Wellhausen, Oxford: OUP, 2003.

Orton, D.E. “We felt like grasshoppers: the little ones in biblical interpretation”, Biblical Interpretation, 11 no 3-4 (2003): 488-502.

Walton , J.W. Genesis, NIV Application Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan 2001.

Wolf, H. An Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch.  Chicago, IL:  Moody Press, 2007.

Journals:

Currents in Biblical Research

Journal for the Study of Old Testament

Journal of Biblical Literature

                      Interpretation